PalmOne HotSync Serial Cradle (m125, m130, i705, Tungsten & m500 series)

• Quickly synchronizes information in your handheld to your desktop computer
• One-touch HotSync button performs synchronization
• For PC or Macintosh with serial port
• Compatible with Palm m125, m130, i705, and m500 series handhelds

With the introduction of the new Palm m50x series, Palm needed to make a whole different type of "universal connector." With this new "universal connector," we get a new fangled cradle.

Palm's explanation for a new cradle and a new connector was to give true USB support to the cradle. Let's not forget that we'll have to buy all new accessories to cater to the new "universal connector." The question I ask is "Is it new functionality, or new sales they're after?"

Enough about my rant on the universal connector. Let's get to the cradle itself. It's different that the Palm V cradle (I compare it to the Palm V cradle since the m50x series is just following in the footsteps of that series.). First, it isn't slide in and out, like the old cradle. To take the Palm out, you have to lift up, then pull vertically up. To put it in, you have to put it in vertically, fumble around a bit, then once you hear the Palm beep, you can nestle it back in the cradle.

For people who don't know about the above process, I'm guessing you're going to break your Palm, so be warned.

Once you get the process down, it actually becomes second nature. Granted, I think it's a cumbersome process, but the unit stays in the cradle securely.

One issue that made me knock this cradle down to three stars (and this could be in conjunction with the Palm itself) but sometimes the unit doesn't charge fully in the cradle. You place the Palm in the cradle, the Palm makes the beep, and you think you're charging, right? You take it out th enext morning, go to work, and then you notice that your battery indicator is still int he same position. What's up with that? I've discovered that for the unit to fully charge (and sometimes HotSync correctly), you have to make sure the connection to the cradle is flush.

The product does give USB support, so the cradle does have a functionality. For me, personally, I wish Palm didn't have to give us a new "universal connector" every couple of years...

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I bought this cradle because I have to leave the USB cradle that came with my Palm M515 at the office. I chose a serial cradle for two reasons: all of my USB ports are filled at home and this cradle was significantly cheaper than a USB model.

I find that the cradle is quite a bit slower. This would be a problem if I did as many Hotsync operations at home as I do at the office. Since I only sync at home to updat my AvantGo data and to re-charge my Palm,this cradle works fine.

If you need a cradle for a situation similar to mine, don't waste your money on the more expensive USB model unless you're really impatient.

Read Best Reviews of PalmOne HotSync Serial Cradle (m125, m130, i705, Tungsten & m500 series) Here

there's a known problem with the USB cradles that they are extra sensitive to Electro Static Discharge. I fries both the cradle and sometimes the handheld (cooked my M515 yesterday for the second time). Look up Palm USB ESD on Google... Palm is going to replace my handheld again. The serial version of this cradle does not have this issue. If you ask Palm about getting a serial cradle back instead of USB they state you have to buy one.

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The cradle is very finicky. The fit is not very tight and I have to press down on the top of the palm pilot to ensure the contacts are touching. Plus, it has it's own power plug AND the USB connection. I'd recommend the USB cable instead. It connects snugly, easily and is only one thing to plug in, plus very reliable long term. Charges fast too. This cradle just fell short all the way around.

This little device is the most sold out product in every store in the Silicon Valley. Without it you cannot sync your new Palm to Windows NT.

NT is fairly happy with it, aside from the SLOW sync rate which makes sync happy web clippings crawl, but it does its job to the best of its ability.